Mesmerizing Ladakh – Part 5: Shey Monastery & Palace

The Shey Monastery and the Shey Palace complex are located on a hillock in Shey village 15 km south of Leh on the Leh-Manali road. Built in 1655 by King Deldan Namgyal, the palace is mostly in ruins now. The Shey monastery was also built in 1655 on his instructions in memory of his father Singay Namgyal, within the palace complex.

The monastery is noted for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. But unfortunately we could not see the statue as the Gompa was closed at the time when we were there.

Towards the Shey Monastery and PalaceThe Shey Monastery and PalaceThe Shey Monastery and PalaceThe Shey Monastery and PalaceThe Shey Monastery and PalaceThe Shey Monastery and Palace, the detailsThe prayer wheel and the shrine which was closedThe stupa at the topRuins all aroundView from the topView from the topRuins all aroundView from topMore ruinsMore ruinsView from topView from top

From the palace grounds one can have a distant view of the Druk White Lotus School locally known as Druk Padma Karpo School (Karpo means White and Padma means Lotus in the local language Bodhi). This school has become famous after few scenes of the Bollywood film “Three Idiots” were shot there.

No doubt those doors are often closed in troubled times. Thank you for showing us these places we may never visit in person or know about except for you. Your knowledge of the history of these places is valuable and appreciated. Many thanks!